Wagner authorities apply for $1.16 million OWRB Clean Water funding, authorize related wastewater work

The Wagoner Public Works Authority and the City of Wagner voted to apply for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing package through the Oklahoma Water Resources Board that staff said would be forgiven if awarded.

The authority and council on March 3 approved a resolution to file for the SRF program and to execute related funding and lease documents. “So you’re looking at $1,163,000 grant,” a council speaker told members, adding the program as discussed would be “a full 100% no match” if accepted, and that the funds would be used to improve the wastewater system.

Why it matters: Officials said the SRF money would finance projects such as flow meters, manhole inspection and TV (CCTV) inspection work and engineering so the city is shovel-ready for future grants. Staff described the application as competitive and said it would not obligate the city to repay the loan if the application is unsuccessful.

Council and authority members debated procedural questions on whether the program could be used to pay down existing OWRB loans; staff and consultants said program rules generally require projects to fund new or planned improvements rather than pay off existing debt. “As it’s a new loan, it can’t be going towards an existing loan,” a staff speaker said during the discussion.

The authority also authorized related administrative steps: approving execution of a funding agreement, establishing a project disbursement account, and ratifying or amending leases between the city and the authority tied to the utility systems, all as part of the SRF application package.

Related actions approved the same night included authorizing public bidding activities for removal and disposal of water treatment residuals (Middle Pond) and directing staff to receive and open sealed bids to replace a contractor on the Casper drainage cast-in-place concrete boxes after the prior contractor ceased operations.

Quotes: "So you’re looking at $1,163,000 grant. Pretty dang excited about it," said a council participant, summarizing the amount and forgiveness structure being discussed.

What happens next: Staff said they would complete the application paperwork for OWRB and, if awarded, the SRF funds would be executed through a promissory note and funding agreement. No final contract award for construction work was made at the meeting; council actions authorized bidding and application steps only.

Votes at a glance: The SRF resolution and related authorizations passed on roll call votes with all present councilmembers voting yes.